All up, Kansas is blessed with 28 sensational state parks that lie within its 214,000 km² boundaries.
Whether you are into swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, camping or just straight up relaxing, The Sunflower State has somewhere appropriate for you.
What is great about these parks is that many of them offer hundreds of miles of trails, as well as shimmering lakes and plenty of scenic wildlife areas.
They also offer a range of camping options that include everything from primitive camping sites to full hook-ups that come with water and electricity. So even though you are in the middle of an area of exquisite natural beauty, you can still have access to some of your favorite mod-cons.
For those who live in, or around Dodge City, many of these state parks can be easily reached by car. Including the five we have showcased below.
Map of State Parks Near Dodge City KS
Here is a map of the state parks in Kansas covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Dodge City
All five of the state parks near Dodge City below are located within a 3 hour and 15 minute driving distance of the city.
1. Meade State Park
Location: 13051 V Rd, Meade, KS 67864
At just an hour’s drive south of Dodge City, the Meade State Park is the closest to the city.
You will find this park near the town of Red Hills, within the southwest Kansas high plains. With around 80 acres of water, it is a year-round haven for those who love fishing. As there is an abundance of crappie, trout, catfish, bluegill, channel cat, largemouth bass, saugeye and flathead catfish to be caught.
If you are into hunting, you should be able to bag quail and doves in their scenic 360-acre wildlife area. While nature loves will also be able to explore the wonderful flora and fauna that call the park home.
Camping accommodation takes the form of 54 primitive sites, as well as 42 sites that come with water and electricity. Although sewer is not provided, you do have access to a dump station here.
2. Cedar Bluff State Park
Location: 32001 KS-147, Ellis, KS 67637
Nestled on the picturesque shoreline of the 680-acre Cedar Bluff Reservoir, the Cedar Bluff State Park is divided into two, unique areas. The Bluffton Area, which is located on the north shore and the Page Creek Area on the south shore.
It will take you 90 minutes to drive north there from Dodge City, but when you get there you will be able to enjoy a range of recreational activities including fishing, swimming on the beach, sand volleyball, shore side basketball, BMX bicycling and horseshoes.
This area is also popular among kayakers, boaters, jet skiers and SUP, while there are plenty of outdoor areas for hikers to explore.
There are campgrounds on both the north and south shore, as well as boat ramp facilities, two showerhouses and picnic areas. You will also find toilets and other amenities here too.
3. Webster State Park
Location: 1140 10 Rd, Stockton, KS 67669
Enjoying a fabulous 880-acre prairie setting that features comely rolling hills and wide open skies Webster State Park is the perfect place to get away from it all.
Situated a 2 hour and 15 minute drive north of Dodge City, the park accommodates 3,700 acres of open water in the form of the Webster Reservoir. Which makes it an excellent spot for fishing for crappie, walleye, white bass, and channel catfish. Swimming and other water based recreational activities are also popular too.
Hikers will love to explore a landscape that features rivers, lakes, mixed grass prairies, marshes, shrubs and riparian trees. While those who enjoy spotting wildlife will revel in the deer, quail, turkey and pheasants that can be seen.
Overall the campground here has 112 sites, of which 86 are standard full hook-ups with water and electricity.
4. Wilson State Park
Location: 3 State Park Road, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
Given its sensational location in the heart of the Smoky Hills, it’s not hard to see why many people call Wilson State Park the most beautiful state park in Kansas.
Located a 2 hour and 30 minute drive north of Dodge City, the main attraction of this state park is the stunning Wilson Reservoir. Which is nestled in between rocky outcrops and rugged cliffs.
A haven for those who enjoy wildlife watching, you will be able to see, and also photograph the likes of pheasant, songbirds, deer, waterfowl and furbearers. If you enjoy fishing, you should be able to catch plenty of striped bass and white bass too. Whilst hikers will enjoy tackling The Cedar Trail which takes you through some of the park’s most beautiful areas.
In terms of camping options, Wilson State Park offers 184 sites overall. Of these 30 are standard with electric hookups and 96 come with both water and electric hookup. There are also 46 primitive sites too.
5. Glen Elder State Park
Location: 2131 180 Rd, Glen Elder, KS 67446
Although the Glen Elder State Park is a 3 hour and 15 minute drive north east of Dodge City, it is well worth the drive there if you love water based recreational activities.
Nestled on the northern shore of the 12,500-acre Glen Elder Reservoir, you’ll be able to kayak, SUP, canoe, boat or swim until your heart is content here.
There are also plenty of fishing opportunities as well, while the park’s rural setting affords you excellent potential for hiking, and picnicking across several scenic locations.
Glen Elder State Park has a number of campgrounds that offer a wide selection of options, which range from primitive to full hook-up. Amenities include toilets, showers, fire rings and a dump station.
A full service Marina enables you to top up on fuel and camping supplies, as well as providing a fish cleaning station.
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